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What Do Hallucinations Of Dead People Talking To A Person Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 6 Mar 2019

Question: hi doctor I am Gagan, my mother is facing some issues... she is now 52 years old ... when she was 48 years old she felt someone is talking to here and used to feel scared staying alone. at that moment her periods stopped and we meta doctor they said could be due to menopause. later again it started after an year and stopped ... and now from few days she started the same... she thinks people who are dead talking to her and she keep standing all day... she also doesn't get sleep at nights... please help us out

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:

This could be severe depression or psychosis.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Sudden onset suspiciousness, hearing voices, standing on a place throughout the day, poor sleep etc can't be ignored.

These symptoms might be occurring due to some underlying psychotic episode.

This could be part of severe depression with psychosis. This should be evaluated properly.

Any organic cause should be ruled out. Her complete blood count, Liver function tests, renal function tests and serum electrolytes should be done.

If needed MRI brain can be done to rule out any brain issue.

These symptoms respond well to drugs like Olanzapine. Olanzapine can be given in low dose like 5-10 mg and this should help to reduce her symptoms.

The symptoms like referential ideas, hearing voices will decrease with medicines. Please consider consulting a psychiatrist for her treatment.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 hours later)

also I want to add, she mentioned few people names and was talking in male gender...as "he" and was talking weird things. it was like 4 to 5 I people with there names as if she was those people and switching to different persons. We got scared but I am sure its a medical condition... now she will be travelling tomorrow from XXXXXXX to XXXXXXX in train. and today noon she was normal. is it safe for her to travel ? and also can I give her the medicine which you mentioned today ? hope I can get that medicine from chemist. we will consult the psychiatrist once she reaches XXXXXXX as soon as possible.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

Please take proper opinion.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

The symptoms like hearing voices, suspiciousness etc are part of some psychosis only. This is not a very serious condition but you should not ignore these symptoms.

With medicines she will come out of these symptoms. She can travel by train but if she is travelling alone then that should be avoided if possible. Her symptoms might become worse.

Olanzapine can help to treat her symptoms. Please take opinion of a psychiatrist for her as soon as possible.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Seikhoo Bishnoi, Psychiatrist

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj